Paper pile aligner for automatic cutter



Jan. 19, 1965 c. THUMIM PAPER FILE ALIGNER FOR AUTOMATIC cu-rma 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1962 INVENTOR. 14a; 72/0490 MU H srk'az an. 594:4. ela J4!!! Jan. 19, 1965 c. THUMIM 3,165,956

PAPER PILE ALIGNER FOR AUTOMATIC CUTTER Filed May 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 i E I Jan. 19, 1965 c. THUMIM PAPER PILE ALIGNER FOR AUTOMATIC CUTTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 2, 1962 INVENTOR.

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l QO OOOOOOOQO X k m HE 0572015101, fiBEmGeeafJbrxav Jan. 19, 1965 c. THUMIM PAPER FILE ALIGNER FOR AUTOMATIC CUTTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 2, 1962 x o l 7 \N n W 1 a H u \w Q U M N k rm WV //4 O & mm o \m E |llllli1i| 1 w &i I c c e e i u e c u I 6 NR m I JI ILH INVENTOR. (22 77/dM/M Jan. 19, 1965 c. THUMlM PAPER FILE ALIGNER FOR AUTOMATIC CUTTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 2, 1962 INVENTOR. 6'42 4 77/04/001 BY Oar-macaw. fiaem'aeaifaF/sy Jan. 19, 1965 c. THUMIM PAPER PILE ALIGNER FOR AUTOMATIC CUTTER Filed May 2, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Afro/awa s Fafenteri Jan. 12, 1955 3,165,956 ALl'GNER FGR AUTUMN-HQ CUTTER Carl Thumim, Lombard, Ill, assignor to Mickie-Goss- Dexter, Inc, Chicago, iii, a corporation of Delawwe Filed May 2, 1962, Ser. No. 191,965 14 Claims. (Cl. 83-155) This invention relates to guillotine type paper cutters having automatic back gauge spacing, and more particularly to paper pile aligning mechanism for use with such cutters.

One of the problems in connection with automatically spaced paper cutters resides in the fact that when the paper pile is clamped, the pressure of the clamp causes the vertical and rear front walls of the pile to be pulled away from a straight vertical position, particularly as to the top layers of sheets. Accordingly, afterthe cut is made and the clamp released, the top sheets do not return to the original position evenly against the vertical front of the back gauge. The condition is aggravated by the fact that, generally, the greater mass of the pile is behind the clamp and, therefore, the disturbed top sheets just out of the front of the pile to some extent, thus rendering the next cut inaccurate.

The present invention has for its main object the provision of means for preventing distortion of the pile due to the clamping chest and therefore to ensure accurate cutting.

Other objects and features will appear in accordance with the description to follow.

Briefly, the invention contemplates an aligning bar PAPER FEE disposed'at the front of the machine ahead of the knife and mounted so as to be movable with the backgauge. By means of suitable pneumatic and spring devices the aligning bar can be motivated against the front face of the clamp to even up the pile against the back gauge and withdrawn to make way for the front end of the pile as it is cut off. In conjunction with the aligning device there is utilized a series of parallel conveyor belts disposed across the front of the machine so that the cut-oif section of paper can be conveyed away from the knife for convenient removal from the machine.

A detailed description now follows in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which:

FKGURE 1 shows in longitudinal cross section, for the most part, the basic components of the combination in position wherein the paper pile is in readiness for cutting;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the effect produced by pressure of the clamp on the paper pile;

FIGURE 3 illustrates the cut-off movement of the knife and the effect on the cut-01f end of the pile;

FIGURE 4 illustrates the action of the aligning bar in insuring a straight vertical wall of the paper pile after the knife has moved to its upper position and also illustrating the carry-off of the cut-off end by means of the conveyor belts;

FIGURE 5 is a front view of the machine showing the bar and associated components; t

FIGURE 6a is a longitudinal view partially in section of the belt arrangement;

FIGURE 6b is an end view;

FIGURE 60 is a fragmentary detail showing a belt arranged on a support shaft; and

FIGURE 7 shows one form of control system for synchronizing the action of the aligning mechanism with the clamp and knife.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the invention comprises the combination of a paper cutting machine having a frame 19, knife 14, clamp 18, back gauge 22, and bed 26. It will be understood that the usual guides for the knife clamp and gauge are provided, details being omitted fitice herein for clarity. A series of conveyor belts, as exemplified at 3% are suitably carried by the bed of the machine just in front of the cutting stick 32. Theusual handwheel and screw 36 are provided for operation of the back gauge, but it will be understood that, in normal operation, the back gauge is automatically spaced in accordance with program control in any manner heretofore known in the art. A paper pile it? is shown as squared up between the front of the back gauge'and an aligning bar 44 which extends substantially across the front of the machine. The aligning bar 44 is biased by compression springs, such as 48, into position against the front of the paper pile, being guided by the pivotal parallel linkage 52 suitably secured thereto by pins 54 and also secured by pins 56 to support blocks 57 (one support block and associated elements on each side) and having slidable connection in slots, such as 58, by means of the pins.

48, and movement to the left being effected by arespective rod 5 passing slidably through each block 57. Each rod is connected to a piston or} in a pneumatic cylinder 62 having inlet 63 and being secured to each support block 57, thus motivating the blocks against the bias of the springs, the blocks being just touching bed 26 in lowermost position, as shown in FIGURE 1.

Each support block 557 is carried by a rod 65 adjustable vertically by stop nut N actuatable by a piston 68 in a pneumatic cylinder 7t} having inlet 71 and being secured to'a respective horizontal support rod 72 which rods 72 are slidably supported in respective bores 76 in the frame at the front of the machine. Each bar 72 is springbiased as by a spring 86 acting against collar 82 for movement to the right with respect to the machine frame locks against each bar 72, to thus lock bar 44 to the back gauge and, accordingly, the gauge and bar move in unison when latches 94 are engaged and the gauge is motivated. Such movement compresses spring 89 against the machine frame. Carried by each upright 88 is a solenoid actuated plunger device 98 having a plunger 99 which, upon energization of the solenoid, moves upwardly to trip latch 94 respective so that the respective bars 72 can be shifted toward the right by means of respective springs so, free of the back gauge to bring bar 44 against the front face of the clamp 18, FIGURE 4, in conjunction with springs 48.

When bars 72 are locked to uprights 88 and leftward motion of the back gauge moves the system comprising the paper pileand the aligning bar, as will be noted from FIGURE 1, the paper pile moves with evenly and vertically aligned front and rear walls.

Prior to the knife taking its cutting stroke, the clamp 13, must, of course, be applied with heavy pressure-to the paper pile as. As seen in FEGURE 2, the clamp pressureproduces a condition wherein the pile is compressed at X but the endwalls are tilted inwardly toward the clamp at Y and Z, due to bowing or curvature induced in the pile by the clamp pressure. However, since the plane of cutting is vertical for the knife 14, and since the pile faces front and rear, were vertical at the time the clamp'was applied, the end result will be a cut front face WhiCh iS vertical and parallel to the rear face after the clamp is released and the pile again squared up against the back gauge as will be evident from thedescription to follow.

Attention is direction to FIGURE 3 wherein it will be noted that the cut-off end 102 of the pile tilts forwardly Bar 44 can move left or right, as viewed on FIGURE 1, movement to the right being by means of the springs after severance by the knife and therefore it is necessary that the aligning bar 44 be removed from the front of the pile in order to make way for the forward tilting of the cut-off end; otherwise, there would be severe binding of the knife. A bi-planar movement of the aligning bar is efiected by the pneumatic cylinder system previously described.

A suitable control system as generally illustrated in FIGURE 7 provides a pressure-operated switch P responsive to clamp hydraulic pressure which would have the effect of releasing the latches 94 to permit springs to expand while at the same time controlling a suitable pneumatic system feed to the inlets 63 and 71 to simultaneously lift and withdraw bar 44 via solenoid value V In other words as the clamp applies pressure to the paper pile and the hydraulic system pressure builds up, switch P is actuated to feed compressed air to the cylinders. Actually, this occurs as the knife begins to descend, the knife movement in machines of the type under discussion being responsive to a predetermined clamp pressure in order to assure proper security of the pile before cutting. Thus, pistons 68 through'associated rods 66 lift support blocks 57 out of the path of the paper section to he out. At the same time, rods 59 associated with pistons 60 pull the aligning bar 44 back, that is to the left, against the compression of springs 48, in order to clear space for tilting of cut off section 102, FIGURE 3.

Asnoted in FIGURE 3, latches 94 are unlocked and the springs 80 have expanded and brought cylinder bodies 70 into direct abutment with the machine frame, engagement therewith being cushioned through respective dashpots, such as 106. The rear surface of the pile remains tilted at Y while the knife has completed its stroke to the cutting stick 32. At this time the belts 30 are 1110- tivated in order to convey the cut-off section 102 out of the machine. The timing of the belts is responsive to the extreme downward position of the knife in the knife in reaching the cutting stick and may be accomplished by a switch A (FIG. 7) which. can be operated by a cam rotating with the knife crank (not shown) in a conventional machine wherein such arrangements are well. known for controlling machine functions. The vertical misalignment at Y is, of course, due to the fact that clamp pressure is still on and the paper pile from the clamp to the back gauge is still distorted at its top due to such clamp pressure.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the aligning bar 44 has been dropped and moved horizontally to be flush against the front surface of the clamp and the pile front face. If new clamp pressure be released, the rear wall of the pile will once more become vertical, the condition shown in FIG- URE 1, since the top layers of the pile will then straighten out and become horizontal. In order to bring this condition about, referring to FIGURE 7, a switch B is actuated by a knife crank cam (not shown) when the knife is approaching its upper position. This has the effect of energizing a solenoid V to release the air pressure from the cylinders 62 and 70 via their respective ports, thus permitting alignment bar 44 to drop at a controlled rate into a pile-engaging position while at the same time permitting springs 48 to expand to move the bar toward the front face of the pile to the position shown in FIGURE 4.

Due to the de-energization of solenoid 98 Occurring upon opening of pressure switch P when clamp pressure was released, bars 72 and thus bar 44 is once more locked to the back gauge for movement therewith. Accordingly, movement of the back gauge, in accordance with a spacing program, now begins another cycle.

Many possible systems may be utilized for synchronizing the aligning bar actuation with the clamp and knife, depending on the type of cutter the invention is. to be used with. In fact, manual control by push buttons could be used. It is preferred, however, that the aligning mechanism control be tied in with the particular control system of the machine and such valves and switches are used as are needed to effect the sequential movements of the bar 44 required in accordance with the principles disclosed hereinabove. Such tie-in with known cutter control systems may readily be effected by persons skilled in this art and accordingly, a specific example is not necessary.

However, FIGURE 7 shows diagrammatically, for the sake of completeness, a basic scheme of system control for a conventional machine having the usual electrical systems for specific control of knife, gauge, and clamp, all synchronized in a known manner by electronic circuitry responsive to limt switches, pressure switches, cam operated switches, etc., commonly used in cutters of the type under discussion. Accordingly, FIGURE 7 seeks merely to show such a system by block diagrams appropriately designated. The particularly pertinent portions of FIGURE 7 show the switches A and B as part of the knifecontrol. system, the pressure switch P connected by a fluid line to the hydraulic system, whence conductors 168 from P lead to to air feed solenoid valve V for controlling air feed from the air pressure source via conduit 164 to inlets 63 and '71 (FIGURE 1). Likewise, conductors 172 from P go to solenoid 98 for release of latch 99 (FIGURE 1). Similarly, air release solenoid valve V is electrically connected through conductors 176 to switch B for exhausting the cylinders at a particular point in upward travel of the knife.

Referring to FIGURES 6a, b and c, there is shown the fundamental components of the belt arrangement wherein a series of four belts 30 are carried between front and rear rollers 184- journaled in bearings 188 secured to supports H2 which extend for at least the length of the belts and are in turn fastened to side walls 196 which will bev understood to be part of the side walls of the machine, or plates secured thereto. The belts are disposed in individual grooves 2% in the rollers in order to maintain alignment and proper spacing and the top surfaces of the belts are slightly above the surface of the table 36 while the upstream ends of the belts are closely adjacent the cutting stick 32. Between the belt flights a horizontal panel 204 is secured to support the load carried on the belts. The sides of the panel may be appropriately fastened (not shown) to the supports H2. The upstream roller 184 is provided with a pulley 2&8 connected by a belt 212 to the pulley of a motor 216 suitably supported on one of the side walls 11%.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that severed sections of the paper pile will for the most part rest on the upstream end of the belt and will be carried off to an operator at the downstream end, for removal.

Having thus described the invention, it is apparent that changes may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and accordingly, applicant does not seek to be limited to the precise illustration herein given, except as set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An aligning mechanism for alignment of the forward face of a paper pile in a paper cutting machine, comprising a bar means movably'mounted for engagement with said face, and a first actuating means for efiecting movement of said bar means toward said face, and a second actuating means for effecting reverse movement of said bar means away from said face, wherein said movements occur in a horizontal plane, and a third actuating means for moving said bar means in a vertical plane so as to completely clear said face, said second actuating means comprising a pressure operating cylinder having a piston rod operatively connected to move said bar means, said third actuating means comprising a pressure operated cylinder having a .piston rod operatively connected to said first-mentioned cylinder for bodily movement thereof, including a belt conveyor means disposed below said aligning mechanism for removing cut away sections of said paper pile.

2. An aligning mechanism, for alignment of the forward face of a paper pile in a paper cutting chine, comprising a bar means movably mounted for engagement with said face, and a first actuating means for effecting movement of said bar means toward said face and a second actuating means for effecting reverse movement of said oar means away from said face, wherein said movements occur in a horizontal plane, and a third actuating means for moving said bar means in a vertical plane so as to completely clear said face, said first actuating means comprising a resilient force device, said second and third actuating means comprising fluid force devices.

3. In a paper cutting machine, a clamp, a back gauge, and an aligning mechanism having aligning bar means resiliently engageable with a front face of a paper pile under said clamp, actuating means for retracting said ali ning bar means away from said front face while maintai ng said back gauge stationary, and support means for said aligning bar means, means for latching and unlatching said support means to said back gauge to effect movement of said aligning bar means in the same direction as said back gauge when said back gauge is latched to said support means.

4. In a paper cutting machine, a clamp, a back gauge, and an aligning mechanism having ahgning bar means engageable with a front face of a paper pile under said clamp, actuating means for retracting said aligning bar means away from said front face while maintaining said back gauge stationary, and support means for said aligning bar means, means for latching and unlatcln'ng said support means to said back gauge to effect movement of said aligning bar means in the same direction as said back gauge when said back gauge is latched to said support means.

5. In a machine as set forth in claim 4, and resilient means for biasing said support means to move said aligning bar means in the direction of said clamp when said support means is unlatched from said back gauge.

6. In a paper cutting machine as set forth in claim 4, said actuating means comprising fluid pressure means for moving said bar means in a plane normal to the plane of the front face of said clamp. and additionally in a plane parallel to said front face of said clamp.

7. In a paper cutting machine as set forth in claim 4, and resilient means for biasing said support means to move said aligning bar means in the direction of said clamp when said support means is unlatched from said back gauge, said actuating means comprising fluid pressure means for moving said bar means in a plane normal to the plane of the front face of said clamp and additionally in a plane parallel to said front face of said clamp.

8. In a paper cutting machine as set forth in claim 4, and resilient means for biasing said support means to move said aligning bar means in the direction of said front face of said paper pile when said support means is unlatched from said back gauge, said actuating means comprising fluid pressure means for moving said bar means in a plane normal to the plane of the front face of said paper pile and additionally in a plane parallel to said front face, hydraulic system means for actuating said clamp, and means responsive to raised pressure in said system to effect unlatching of said support means, and to effect movement of said bar means out of position for engagement with said front face of said paper pile.

9. In a paper cutting machine as set forth in claim 4, said support means comprising a pair of parallel support bars extending in the direction of movement of said back gauge, said machine comprising a frame having bearing support for said support bars generally adjacent the location of said clamp, said back gauge having members fastened thereto affording bearing support for said support bars, said support bars being slidable with respect to said bearing supports, and resilient means for biasing said support bars for sliding axial movement in the direction of said clamp, said latching means comprising latches CPL carried by said back gauge and engagcable with respective support bars, whereby when said latches are in latchmeans comprising a pair of parallel support bars extend-.

ing in a direction of movement of said back gauge, said machine comprising a frame having bearing support for said support bars generally adjacent the location of said clamp, said back gauge having members fastened thereto affording bearing support for said support bars, said support bars being slidable with respect to said bearing supports, and resilient means for biasing said support bars for sliding axial movement in the direction of said clamp, said latching means comprising latches carried by said back gauge and engageable with respective support bars, whereby when saidlatches are in latching position said support bars are locked to said back gauge to efiect movement ofsaid support oars when said back gauge is moved and to thereby etfect said movement of said aligning bar means, each of said support bars having a fluid pressure cylinder secured thereto, said cylinders having axes in planes parallel to the plane of movement of said clamp,

each of said cylinders having a piston rod extending therefrom, each of said piston rods having a fluid pressure cylinder secured thereto, each of said latter fluid pressure cylinders having a piston rod movable in the direction of said clamp and said latter piston rods being secured to said aligning bar means.

11. In a paper cutting machine as set forth in claim 4, said support means comprising a pair of slidably mounted support bars, said actuating means comprising a pair of respective fluid pressure actuatable devices carried by said support bars operative to move said aligning bar means in a combination of directions, one such direction being normal to the direction of movement of said clamp, and another of such directions being in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of said clamp, one of said devices in each pair being carried by the other of said devices and movable thereby and spaced support blocks intermediate each pair of said devices, and spring means intermediate said support blocks and said aligning bar means to effect said resilient engagement of said aligning bar means with said front face of said paper pile.

12. In a paper cutting machine as set forth in claim 9, said unlatching means being operative to release said support bars for movement independently of said backv gauge, resilient means stressable when said support bars are moved by said back gauge, whereby upon nnlatching of said support bars said resilient means effects movement thereof in a direction toward said clamp, and means carried by said support bars engageable with said machine frame to effect a limiting position of movement of said bars in said direction toward said clamp.

13. In a device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first-mentioned fluid pressure cylinders are engageable with said frame to effect a stop position of movement of said support bars. p

14. In a paper cutting machine as set forth in claim 11, each of said support blocks being secured to one of said evices and a parallel linkage guide device connected intermediate said support blocks and said aligning bar means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. AN ALIGNING MECHANISM FOR ALIGNMENT OF THE FORWARD FACE OF A PAPER PILE IN A PAPER CUTTING MACHINE, COMPRISING A BAR MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FACE, AND A FIRST ACTUATING MEANS FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF SAID BAR MEANS TOWARD SAID FACE, AND ASECOND ACTUATING MEANS FOR EFFECTING REVERSE MOVEMENT OF SAID BAR MEANS AWAY FROM SAID FACE, WHEREIN SAID MOVEMENTS OCCUR IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE, AND A THIRD ACTUATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID BAR MEANS IN A VERTICAL PLANE SO AS TO COMPLETELY CLEAR SAID FACE, SAID SECOND ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A PRESSURE OPERATING CYLINDER HAVING A PISTON ROD OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO MOVE SAID BAR MEANS, SAID THIRD ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A PRESSURE OPERATED CYLINDER HAVING A PISTON ROD OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST-MENTIONED CYLINDER FOR BODILY MOVEMENT THEREOF, INCLUDING A BELT CONVEYOR MEANS DISPOSED BELOW SAID ALIGNING MECHANISM FOR REMOVING CUT AWAY SECTIONS OF SAID PAPER PILE. 